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Accolades: First Team All-Big 12 (08), Big 12 All-Freshman Team (08), Second Team All-Freshman – CHN (08), McDonald’s All-American – high school (07), Third Team Parade All-American – high school (07).

Scouting Report: A big, strong athletic post player with plenty of upside.

Strengths: Perfect NBA power forward size. Great low post player. Big and strong. Has good hands. Very athletic for his size – won the Powerade Jam Fest at the McDonald’s All-American game in high school. Great spin moves in the post. Scrappy – battles for boards. Able to get out and run the floor. Capable of grabbing a rebound and starting a fast break on his own with the dribble. Great leaping ability – 37 inch vertical. Excellent passer for a big man.

Weaknesses: Had injuries to both his knees during his freshman collegiate season. Poor free throw shooter - sometimes gets pulled out of late game situations due to it. Doesn’t block many shots. Turns the ball over too much - more turnovers than assists for his collegiate career.

Projected 2009 Draft Range: Top three pick.

Consensus: After a great freshman season, and an even better sophomore one, Blake Griffin has positioned himself to be on of the first names called in June‘s draft. While he is still young and his game still needs work, his combo of size, strength, speed, athleticism, jumping ability and nastiness should make him a great NBA player.

Accolades: Spanish National Team, Spanish Under-16 National Team, Spanish Under-18 National Team, First Team All-Spanish League (08).

Scouting Report: Pistol Pete for the YouTube generation.

Strengths: Incredible passer - has excellent court vision and is a creative passer. Very unselfish - prefers to set up teammates rather than score. Disruptive presence on defense - quick feet and hands - led the Spanish League in steals last season; averaged 3.2 swipes per game as a 16-year-old in the Euroleague. Fantastic ball handler - very elusive, tons of moves. Has blow-by speed with the ball - can get by his defender and into the lane. Has three-point range on his jumper. Extremely experienced - has played professionally since he was 15 - extensive international experience with Spain, including last year’s Olympics. Long wingspan - reportedly 6’9”.

Weaknesses: Needs to become a more consistent shooter. Injury and surgery done on shooting wrist caused him to miss a lot of time this past season and subsequently kept him from improving his jumper. Needs to add weight and strength. Can be too flashy at times - tries to force passes into tight coverage. Not a big scorer - only averaged in double figures in scoring once in his pro career. Still very young - especially for a point guard.

Projected 2009 Draft Range: Top three pick.

Consensus: While we compare Rubio to Pistol Pete above, Jason Kidd is probably a better comparison (passing, defense, ball handling, poor shooting). Whether he ever reaches Kidd’s lofty level is unknown, but he should be a very good NBA player regardless.

Accolades: Big East Defensive Player of the Year (08), Second Team All-Big East (08), Big East All-Rookie Team (07).

Scouting Report: An intimidating giant whose game is developing quickly.

Strengths: Shot blocking – Thabeet changes the game due to his swatting abilities – had a 10-block game in both his freshman and sophomore seasons. Good rebounder. Good body. Huge wingspan – helps keep loose balls alive. Strong finisher. Can run the floor well for his size. Is playing in one of the top college programs in developing NBA talent. Greatly improved player each season in college. Shoots for a very high percentage from the field.

Weaknesses: Very inexperienced – only started playing basketball a few years ago. Still a little clumsy – drops passes, throws balls away. Offensive game is still very raw and underdeveloped. Never was a big scorer in college

Projected 2009 Draft Range: Top 10 pick.

Consensus: Thabeet’s size and skill level makes his potential off the charts. With his game seeming to improve with each passing day, he looks to have a bright future in the NBA, at both ends of the floor.

Re: The PD NBA Draft - #1 L.A. Clippers

The Clippers, according to insiders that spoke with the Oakland Tribune, are enamored with Ricky Rubio and could conceivably select him instead of Blake Griffin with the number one overall pick.

If such a scenario occurs, the Clippers will look to deal Baron Davis.

For now, the Clippers look like they will lean towards the obvious selection.

"I think five years from now, Blake Griffin will be hitting his stride in the NBA, and he will be an impact player wherever he is," Clippers president Andy Roeser told AP. "He is an athletic player. He can do all sorts of things and has a ton of talent, and I think any team will be happy to have him."

Re: The PD NBA Draft - #1 L.A. Clippers

When you look at the talent on the Clippers' roster, you come to the very sad realization that it won't matter who they take. Whoever it is will be stuck in the shadow of the Lakers in the morass that is the Clippers organization. I think I could make a good case - where I so inclined - to nominate Donald Sterling as worst owner ever. It won't change with a #1 draft pick.

Did you see the look on Griffin's face when he was asked how he felt about the lottery? He looked gut-shot. I honestly think he would rather have come to cellar-dwelling, cowbell loving Sacramento than to be exiled to the slums of the dark side of Staples...